# dimple

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈdɪmpəl/ · frequency rank #40,655

## Definitions
1. A small depression or indentation in a surface.
2. Specifically, a small natural depression on the skin, especially on the face near the corners of the mouth.
3. A small depression, made with a punch on a metal object, as a guide for further drilling.

## Etymology
From Middle English dimpel, dimpil, dympull, from Old English *dympel, from Proto-West Germanic *dumpil, from Proto-Germanic *dumpilaz (“sink-hole, dimple”), from Proto-Germanic *dumpaz (“hole, hollow, pit”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewb- (“deep, hollow”), equivalent to dialectal dump (“deep hole or pool”) + -le (diminutive suffix).
Akin to German Low German Dümpel, German Tümpel (“pond, pool”). Related also to Old English dyppan (“to dip”).

## Easily confused with
- **dipole** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dimple-vs-dipole)
- **dingle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dimple-vs-dingle)
- **dime** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dime-vs-dimple)
- **dimly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dimly-vs-dimple)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ddimple`, `dimlpe`, `dimmple`, `dimpel`, `dimplle`, `dimpple`, `dipmle`, `dmiple`, `idmple`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dimple